Page 138 of The Last Hope

“This is our wedding night,” I whispered between kisses, he hummed in agreement, his lips trailing down my neck.

“We could… maybe go somewhere ?” I suggested, my voice wavering. “To clear our heads—and the boys’ too ?”

He suddenly pulled back, eyes gleaming with interest, “a honeymoon ?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how eager he looked.

“Yes, a honeymoon,” I replied, massaging his forearms where the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up.

He smiled—and I knew, even in ten years, that smile would still make my heart race.

“The Maldives are way too popular !” my sister exclaimed as we scrolled through endless images of stunning turquoise waters and dreamy overwater villas.

“What about Sri Lanka ? Grigori and I went there two years ago—it was paradise,” Elif chimed in, sitting to my left and placing a tray with three steaming cups of tea on the coffee table.

I swore, this woman and her teas ! I figured it had something to do with her Turkish roots and her connection toKaradeniz. She once told me how, as a child, she used to play in the black tea fields with her brother and cousins.

“I don’t know. I’d never really thought about a honeymoon. I don’t even know why I suggested it to Nikolai. Especially at such a critical time…”

“Oh, sweetheart, you’ll soon realize there’s never a moment in your life as an Ivanov that isn’t critical,” Elif said with a laugh, shaking her head. “So enjoy every second now.”

“She’s right. If you keep waiting for the ‘perfect moment,’ you’ll never live,” my sister added, her eyes still fixed on the screen as she continued scrolling.

I sighed. They were right.

I couldn’t keep living in fear. Even though the future felt more uncertain than ever, I wanted to live it—with Nikolai, my sons, and my family.

“Maybe a lesser-known island ?” I finally said. They both nodded enthusiastically, grinning as they dove back into their searches with the determination of seasoned investigators.

I checked my phone for the hundredth time, waiting for an update from Nikolai—but still nothing. He had captured Antonio and had been holding him for over three weeks without telling me anything.

And now, last night, that monster had managed to escape, and Nikolai had left right after breakfast to figure out how it happened.

It wasn’t until later that evening that he reappeared with Roman and Sasha. Sienna had gone out with Kenji, who had come to pick her up, and Grigori and Elif had also stepped out.

“Nikolai !” I exclaimed, setting down my anatomy book and hurrying into the hallway as Roman headed to the kitchen and Sasha disappeared downstairs. “What’s going on ?”

“Nothing important,Solnyshko. There’s a delivery tonight, and we’re just making sure everything goes smoothly with Sasha,” my husband replied as his younger brother reappeared with two large-caliber weapons, handing one to Nikolai.

“Is this about Antonio ?” I asked, grabbing his hand to stop him as he checked the magazine. He smiled softly before kissing my cheek, “don’t tire yourself worrying about these things, Solnyshko.”

For the first—or maybe second—time, I wanted to hit him, “don’t tell me what to think, Nikolai,” I said, clenching my fists.

And he had the audacity to smirk, “we’ll talk about this tonight when I’m back,” he said, kissing me on the lips this time before walking out, followed by Sasha, who waved at me.

I stood there, watching my husband walk away, mouth slightly open.

Yes, he was loving, kind, and gentle—and he could be understanding when he wanted to.

But he could also be arrogant and sneaky. Never with me or the boys—only with outsiders.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew my husband wasn’t an angel, even if he was one for me. I knew what he did. I knew how he did it. Unfortunately, sometimes his professional side bled into our family life.

“Nikolai Ivanov !” I yelled at the door as he climbed into the car. “Get back here !” I stomped my foot and the idiot laughed loudly, started the engine, and drove off after waving at me.

That little bastard…

“Already fighting the day after the wedding ?” Roman’s voice suddenly came from behind, making me jump. I turned to find him devouring the chocolate pudding Velma had made that morning.

“Your brother is an ass,” I grumbled, crossing my arms.

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